Coming Events:
May 3: 1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
6:00 PM Mercer County Session Records Review, Trinity PC, Mercer
May 4: 6:00 PM Lawrence County Session Records Review, Northminster PC, New Castle
SHENANGO 2026 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
As we right-size our presbytery for 6200 members in 47 congregations, Shenango is conducting a fundraising campaign to sustain our ministry of visioning, training, and supporting our congregations for the next 5-10 years. We are reaching out to pastors, sessions, congregations, and friends of our presbytery for their support above and beyond the Per Capita offerings. Rev. Andrew Jillson (Northminster) and Elder Gary Barr (Bessemer) are co-chairing our campaign efforts.
Please take a few minutes and visit the Campaign page on our website to learn how you and your congregation can help.
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching at Clen-Moore church (May 14), Unity church (May 21), and attending the retirement lunch for Rev. Andrew Jillson at Northminster church (May 28). Ralph welcomes opportunities to preach or bring greetings during a worship service, as well as opportunities to visit Session and Deacon meetings. Schedule a Sunday or a meeting time by contacting him at 724-528-1610 or ralph@shenango.org.
Stated Clerk Updates
– TE Maurice Smith has been received from Scioto Valley Presbytery to our Honorably Retired roll.
– COM validated the ministry of TE Michael Spicuzza (MAL) as a Volunteer Pastor with the Lebanon church, sharing as a volunteer in pastoral ministry with TE Augie Hurst and CRE Tom Wilson.
– TE Steven Stelle and TE Mark Thompson from the Approved Pulpit Supply list, as they are currently members of Eastminster Presbytery in Ohio.
– The following members of presbytery have been appointed session moderators for congregations in transition: TE Bill McGary (Wampum) for Clen-Moore and TE Janet Segall (MAL) for Northminster.
(TE = Teaching Elder; MAL = Member at Large)
Prayers
Ruth Cuffman died this past Friday, April 28th. Ruth was the Executive Secretary for Shenango Presbytery until the mid-1990s. Her husband Jim, Honorably Retired, previously served the Neshannock Presbyterian Church in New Castle (now ECO).
Sudan on PBS
PBS Newshour (6PM on Channel 13) is airing a 3-part series on the South Sudan, which began last evening. You can also watch or read the stories at http://www.pbs.org.
Wilson Anniversary
The Rev. Dr. Donald P. Wilson (formerly of Lebanon Presbyterian Church) will celebrate his 50th year of ordination on Sunday, May 21st at a special worship service and reception at Hewitt Presbyterian Church, 1206 Crucible Road, Rices Landing, PA 15357. Rev. Wilson and his wife Debbie are retired and living at 425 Haines Hollow Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370.
Dear Camp Lambec Friends and Family,
I am excited about this summer and hope you are too! Camp Lambec is a place for fun adventures in faith, family, and friends. If you’d like to have a great experience at camp, make new friends (and reconnect with old ones), enjoy our amenities, and grow in your faith, then choose the program that’s right for you. I’ll see you at camp! Go to our website for more information and to register www.camplambec.org A printable brochure and registration by going to http://camplambec.org/summer-camps.html
Randall Clow
Vice President of Camp Lambec Ministries
Camp Lambec Work Day
Help get Camp Lambec ready for opening and perform some maintenance on May 20thfrom 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. There are jobs for all skill levels. Please bring a bagged lunch, drinking water, work gloves, hand sanitizer, and any tools that you think would be helpful. Please email Bob Meanor at meanor300@comcast.net by May 14th if you are attending (and with how many people). NOTE: Due to ongoing water problems at Lambec, the camp’s water is NOT USABLE and volunteers are not permitted to spend the night. Please plan accordingly.
PMM Website Update
The Presbyterian Media Mission (PMM) has a new website at http://presbymediamission.org/ Every day their home page lifts up a social and spiritual issue being faced in every community, and each day there are varying posts that go out via Facebook and Twitter dealing with various stories.
National Day of Prayer Observances
On Thursday, May 4th there will be an hour of prayer at the Mercer County Courthouse bandstand from 12-1:00 PM. All are welcome, bring a chair. The theme this year is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us…Forgive Us…Heal Us!” There will also be a follow-up march and Prayer for Recovery event at the bandstand on Saturday, May 6th from 5-6 PM for those who cannot make Thursday. The theme of this event is “Let the Healing Begin”.
Chaplain’s Seminar
A 2017 training seminar for fire and police chaplains, clergy, mental health professionals, and emergency responders will be held Monday and Tuesday, June 5 & 6 in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. When a large or long-term traumatic incident takes place in your community, how will you provide and coordinate efforts to provide spiritual and emotional care to so many people? This year, we’ll help you answer that question as we offer the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation’s “Strategic Response to Crisis.” We’ll have a great class with a great teacher. We’re in a new location this year and class size is limited, so we need you to register soon. And if you send in your registration form and check by or before April 7th, you’ll get a $25 discount! For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/z4vrp95, www.Tinyurl.com/Chap2017, or the “Chaplains” tab at www.StPaulsHermitage.org.
New Wilmington Mission Conference
The 2017 New Wilmington Mission Conference will be held July 22-29 at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. At 112 years old, the New Wilmington Mission Conference is the longest-running mission conference in the United States. Held on the campus of Westminster College every July, NWMC is intergenerational, Presbyterian-related and youth-focused.
About 1,000 people attend from over 30 states and 20 countries for a chance to connect with mission workers and hear what God is doing all over the world. This week-long conference features many well-known and engaging speakers for one low, all-inclusive price! This year’s speakers include Dr. Rodger Nishioka, Director of Adult Educational Ministries at Village Presbyterian Church, and Rev. Dr. Jim Singleton, Associate Professor of Pastoral Leadership and Evangelism at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, as well as many others. Come for the week and stay on campus or just drive over for the day! Info available on the website.
Visit the conference website here for more details or to register.
News From the Churches
Moravia Launches New Worship Service
Moravia Presbyterian Church near Wampum is launching a new Saturday evening contemporary worship service, from 6-7 PM each week beginning April 15th in their sanctuary. 4280 State Route 18, south of New Castle and north of Wampum. All are welcome.
Rummage Sale
First Presbyterian Church of Sharon (600 E. State St.) will hold a Rummage Sale/Bake Sale (lunch available) on Friday, May 5th from 9 AM – 2 PM, and Saturday, May 6th from 9 AM to 1 PM. Proceeds will support the mission work of the Presbyterian Women of First, Sharon.
Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adults
Faith Presbyterian Church in Hermitage is seeking a Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adults. ce-director-job-description-2017
Hymnbooks Available
Wampum Presbyterian Church has 150 copies of The Presbyterian Hymnal (the blue cover) available to any church that is interested. Almost brand new. Call the church at 724-535-4473.
Church Administrative Assistant Needed
First United Methodist Church in Ellwood City is searching for a Part-time Church Administrative Assistant. 20 hrs/wk. Several beneficial skills would include: ability to handle many details, troubleshooting abilities, warmth in communication in all media formats, and a heart for and a working knowledge of faith based ministries. Responsibilities will include: supporting our Pastor, writing, preparation and publication of documents (weekly bulletin, monthly newsletter, various public communications), calendar scheduling and coordination, researching needs for an ongoing variety of projects, volunteer recruitment etc. An understanding of Microsoft Word and Outlook are a necessity. Any experience in ServantKeeper, Excel, and QuickBooks would be considered an added benefit. Hourly wage based on experience. Interested candidates should submit a resume & cover letter by May 15, 2017 to secretary@firstumcec.org, please insert ATTENTION: SPPRC Church Admin. Asst. in the Subject line of your email or mail to First United Methodist Church, Attention: SPPRC, 416 Crescent Ave., Ellwood City, PA 16117.
The Presbytery of Shenango 